Refer China: Chinese ” Alchemist ” Sparks DIY Gold Rush With Warning。 A man's video showing 191g gold extracted from telecom waste triggered massive online sales of old SIM cards and DIY kits。 However, he and experts warn the process is highly dangerous, polluting, and illegal without certification。

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A viral video of a man extracting gold from SIM cards led to a sales boom, but experts warn the method is dangerous and illegal. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

A Chinese man's online demonstration of extracting 191 grams of gold from discarded electronic waste, primarily SIM cards, has ignited a viral sensation and a frantic online market for scrap materials. Dubbed the "Alchemist" by fascinated netizens, the man has also issued a serious warning against attempting the dangerous process at home.

Scrap SIM cards, above, play a central role in the gold extraction process. Photo: Weibo

Chemicals and soaking form a part of transforming the

In the end, the man dubbed the

The man, known online as "Qiao" from Huizhou, Guangdong, posted a video on January 20 detailing his professional refining process. The clip, which garnered over five million views, shows him submerging piles of used SIM cards in chemical solutions, undergoing reactions like corrosion and displacement, and finally heating and filtering the residue to produce a small gold bar.

He later clarified to Xiaoxiang Morning Post that the nearly 200,000 yuan (US$29,000) worth of gold was extracted from close to two tonnes of mixed telecom chip waste, not SIM cards alone. "To ensure stability and corrosion resistance, key parts of SIM cards are gold-plated," he explained, noting a single card contains a minuscule amount—less than 0.001g—of the precious metal.

The "Alchemist" Effect: A Rush for Scrap and Kits

The video triggered an immediate and tangible reaction online. On Chinese second-hand platforms:

Sellers began listing bundles of old SIM cards explicitly for "alchemy," with some listings viewed over 10,000 times and receiving hundreds of orders.
Other shops sold gold-refining toolkits and instructional videos for about 485 yuan, with nearly 2,000 copies reportedly sold.

While many marveled at the skill—"Qiao is professional. Alchemy has a high chemical threshold," one comment read—others expressed regret for casually discarding potential "gold mines" like old computer parts in the past.

A Stark Warning: Danger, Pollution, and Illegality

Despite the online frenzy, Qiao emphasized his video was meant to share his certified professional work, not promote DIY "alchemy." He strongly warned amateurs against attempting the process, citing severe safety risks and legal consequences.

An industry insider highlighted that common amateur methods involve using aqua regia ("royal water"), a highly corrosive mixture of acids. The process is "highly sensitive to temperature, time and pH control. A small mistake can release toxic gases or trigger strong corrosive reactions."

In China, refining precious metals from scrap is a tightly regulated industry requiring specific certifications. Old SIM cards are classified as hazardous waste. Unauthorized refining not only poses extreme personal danger but also carries severe penalties for environmental pollution, including fines up to 500,000 yuan and potential imprisonment.

This viral story serves as a captivating glimpse into the hidden value within e-waste, but also as a crucial reminder that extracting that value safely and legally is a matter for licensed professionals, not internet-inspired hobbyists.